Parakala Pattabhi Rama Rao.

Veteran freedom fighter and nonagenarian Parakala Pattabhi Rama Rao passed away here on Wednesday. The 92-year-old Rama Rao is survived by wife, Ahalya Devi, a son and two daughters.

He was born on November 16, 1920 at Kavitam village of West Godavari district. He was one among the first generation communists in the country. Rama Rao was a senior journalist and started his career as reporter in Prajasakthi and was editorial team member of Visalandhra daily.

He penned many books, including Asia gundello baaku, Palestina vimukti poratam, Mahila udyama samasyalu, and Peshawar nundi Meerut varaku, communists lapai kutra caselu.

He received many awards, including Soviet Bhoomi Nehru award (1981), Telugu Academy Ugadi puraskar (1999), Potti Sriramulu Telugu University Journalism pratibha puraskar (2001) and freedom fighter award from World Telugu Federation in 2008.

Rama Rao actively participated in the freedom movement, and also fought against the zamindari system and landlords. He was born in a traditional family, but he fought against caste and communalism. He encouraged inter-caste marriages and strived for education of the women.

Demonstration

He organised a demonstration against death sentence to Bhagat Singh, at Marteru High School on March 23, 1931. He accompanied Gandhiji in his tour in Kavitam village.

CPI city secretary Donepudi Sankar, leaders Edpuganti Nageswara Rao and others condoled the death of Rama Rao.

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Freedom fighter Parakala Pattabhi Rama Rao passes away